OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Christine Lightbody. Ed
I am writing as a patient and concerned citizen about the recent secretive decision by the Dept of Health to extract patient records from GP surgeries and transfer them to a new central database – a move that has not been publicly announced and therefore a matter of grave concern.
Following a huge uproar by many members of the public, GP practices and other medical associations, a legal challenge was mounted by a number of organisations working together and as a consequence, the proposed transfer of patients’ personal information has now been delayed until 1st September.
No explanation for whole new database
However the Government are still not explaining why there is a need to create a whole new central database; the General Practice Data for Research and Planning (GPDRP).
Clinical researchers already have an accountable and transparent system in place to use NHS data, but this new ‘data grab’ involves patients being required to opt out of having their records shared.
Not doing so amounts to implied consent and would facilitate the sharing of a patient’s entire medical history, which could then be passed on to third party companies, agencies and organisations for commercial gain.
Many GPs opted all patients out
Many GPs are very nervous and uncertain about this move and some have already opted out all of their patients who have been given the choice to be opted back in, if they wish.
Readers can be reassured there there is NO threat to their access to care or ongoing treatment should they choose to opt out.
It is also simple enough to opt in again when patients feel it is safe to do so and once the Government have explained their reasoning with a cast iron guarantee that their private medical records will not be sold on for commercial and other purposes.
Deep concerns about use of our personal information
I am deeply concerned about the correct use of our personal information, given in trust to our GPs and NHS medical staff. Protecting our personal information from being transferred to a new database which, currently, is not transparent or accountable, endangers the right to patient privacy.
I am also concerned that many patients, especially the elderly and vulnerable, those not online or simply those who are uninformed will be unaware of, or understand what is happening or indeed that they can opt out.
How to opt out
Readers can be assured that opting out is very simple and only takes a few minutes.
There are two stages to the process:
- Opt-out 1 (GP data ) Ask for an opt-out form at your GP surgery and return it once completed. This can also be done by parents for any child under 13 years.
- Opt-Out 2 (non GP data/hospital records) you can manage online
or alternatively call the National l Data Opt-Out Contact Centre on 0300 303 5678 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Do both of these by 25th August 2021 to allow time for processing before the 1st September deadline.
I hope that readers are able to access the forms, but if not, they can ask their GP Surgery for information with no prejudice or danger to their treatment.
For further information and for access to the forms online go to MedConfidential Website.
Image: Jakayla Toney under CC BY 2.0
